URDA’s Protection Sector continues to provide Mental and Social Support Services. Despite the efforts to control matters and the start of vaccine operations in Lebanon, the services were held remotely to prevent any spread of the virus.
There is an increased need of these services due to the social and economic issues Lebanon has been facing lately. The beneficiaries of the services given by the protection sector were 775 children from different nationalities, such as Lebanese, Palestinian and Syrian. The services took place in Bekaah, South Lebanon, Akkar, Baalbek, AlHermil and Aarsal.
According to a report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the percentage of children enrolled in child labor, ages 5 to 7, has doubled more in 2020 compared to 2019, from 2.6% to 4.4%.
The report also stated that one out of two children, between ages 1 and 14, have been exposed to violent discipline. Moreover, according to a field survey of early marriage, the percentage of underage married girls, ages 15 to 19, has risen to 24% in 2019.
It is worth noting that the Protection Sector’s programs are not only limited to Psychosocial Support, but they also include the program for Legal Support, Gender-based Violence as well as Women’s Empowerment.
